Naypyidaw – On Saturday, an airstrike by Myanmar’s ruling military junta in western Rakhine state resulted in the deaths of at least 19 students, including minors, according to the Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic minority armed group., reports 24brussels.
The AA stated on Telegram that the attack targeted two private high schools in Kyauktaw township just after midnight on Friday, leaving 22 others injured. The victims ranged in age from 15 to 21 years old.
“We feel as sad as the victims’ families for the death of the innocent students,”
the statement read. The AA accused the junta of conducting the airstrike, which local media outlet Myanmar Now reported involved a junta warplane dropping two 500-pound bombs on the schools while students were sleeping.
Context of the Conflict in Rakhine State
The military junta is currently embroiled in intense conflict with the AA for control over Rakhine, an area where the AA has expanded its territorial influence significantly over the past year. This conflict is part of the larger turmoil plaguing Myanmar since the military coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi’s government in 2021, sparking a nationwide armed uprising.
As of 2025, the AA reportedly controls 14 of the 17 townships in Rakhine, with ambitions to liberate the entire state, including critical areas vital for China’s Belt and Road Initiative, as well as the regional capital, Sittwe, and important ports and pipeline sites.
The military junta faces increasing territorial losses as ethnic armed groups, including the AA, consolidate their power in Rakhine and beyond. The AA has established local governance structures in the areas under its control, further complicating the military’s position.
Condemning the attack, UNICEF stated it reflects a “disturbing pattern of escalating violence in Rakhine State,” highlighting the severe impact on children and families in the region.
Previous Incidents of Violence in Rakhine State
The recent incident is not isolated. In January 2025, an airstrike in Mrauk-U Township resulted in 28 deaths and 25 injuries. In northern Shan state, another airstrike killed 11 civilians, including children, and left many others wounded. Such strikes frequently target camps and villages, leading to widespread destruction of property, infrastructure, and a humanitarian crisis that has displaced millions.